How do post modern media texts challenge traditional text-reader relations and the concept of representation?

Flow & Immersion- 
flow- (is a modern view on going where there is a clear structure and although the individual becomes involved and enjoys the challenge, they are able to shut the device off and understand the boundaries between real and virtual). (state in which people are so involved in an activity that 'nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it'.


Time distortion (no sense of time passing- real time), game time ans real time  become parallel realities.


immersion- (those who become so involved within the game, that they believe they are the game and they are the character and the actions they are doing is what they would do in society if they were allowed believes more and more members of society are becoming immerse gamers.  


Hyperreality-
able to create my own avatar and environment.


Fluid Identities- 
avatar: change body, skin, movement (animation overrides)
Movement: walk/run, swim, fly!!!!, drive, teleport!!!!




How does it challenge traditional forms and conventions?
communication: chat (like IMs), voice chat, notecards
Community: groups, group chat, notices
allows user to abandon the constraints of reality and enter a hyper real virtual world where anything is possible for example, the ability to be able to fly and teleport.


Unlike traditional games Second Life does not comply with rules or objective-riven game.
Does not comply to the conventions of genre, 3D movements and actions of avatars make it similar to video gaming, yet it also has the technology of being a social networking/chat room type that is globalised and allows users to talk to people from anywhere. 


Second Life still involves money in order to purchase a better standing and status. For example, at the beginning stages of creating your avatar you have very little choice in how you can change your appearance therefore in order to become more fashionable and to someone more 'attractive' you have to purchase the 'Linden Dollar'. Style vs Substance (Strinatis theory). 


Although Second Life is a virtual world where anything is possible, users still need to earn or have money as a reference to 'reality'. This creates the unavoidable link between a 'Second Life' and your own 'First life'.


Intertextuality: Starwars theme rooms, Robert Pattinson in the 'Vampire World'.
Lyotard- break down of meta-narratives = challenging the boundaries of human beings abilities e.g. flying or being able to change appearances automatically.